Paralympian Josh Turek Wins Iowa Senate Primary

A champion athlete who represented America on the world stage just won his party's chance to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Iowa State Representative Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, captured the Democratic nomination for Senate on Tuesday. He'll face Republican Representative Ashley Hinson in November to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Joni Ernst.

Turek isn't new to winning tough races. In 2022, he flipped a Republican-held Iowa House seat and built a reputation for working across party lines to deliver results for his constituents. His athletic achievements and legislative track record caught the attention of national Democratic leaders, who see his candidacy as a genuine opportunity in a state that has trended Republican in recent years.

The race matters beyond Iowa's borders. With a slim Republican majority in the Senate, every competitive seat shapes which party controls the chamber and sets the national agenda.

Hinson, a former TV news anchor serving her third term in Congress, brings her own compelling story to the race. She flipped a Democratic seat in 2020 and has earned backing from party leaders as a rising Republican voice.

The Ripple Effect

Iowa Democrats are riding momentum after winning two special state Senate elections in 2025, energizing volunteers and donors who see opportunity where others might not. Turek's nomination amplifies that energy, giving the party a candidate who embodies perseverance and bipartisan problem-solving.

His campaign centers on the same qualities that made him a champion: discipline, teamwork, and pushing past barriers others say can't be overcome. Whether talking to farmers, factory workers, or families struggling with rising costs, Turek emphasizes listening first and finding common ground.

The general election will test whether Iowa voters are ready to split their tickets again. The state supported Barack Obama twice before shifting solidly Republican in recent presidential cycles. But statewide races often tell different stories than national ones, and Turek's profile as a moderate willing to buck his party on certain issues could appeal to independent voters.

Both candidates will spend the next five months making their case across Iowa's 99 counties. Turek will highlight his legislative wins and Olympic spirit, while Hinson points to her congressional record and deep Iowa roots.

No matter the outcome, Iowa voters get to choose between two candidates who've already proven they know how to win.